Hammerhand MTG Card
2014-07-18 - Number 147
2017-06-16 - Number 52
2017-11-17 - Number 132
2019-11-07 - Number 971
2022-09-09 - Number 129
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-132
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature When Hammerhand enters the battlefield, target creature can't block this turn. Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has haste. (It can attack and no matter when it came under your control.)
Cards like Hammerhand
The Hammerhand MTG card offers an intriguing blend of abilities with its haste-enabling mechanic and buff for creatures. This card draws parallels to other spells such as Swiftfoot Boots, which grants not only haste but also hexproof, protecting your creature from targeted spells. However, Hammerhand edges forward with its additional boon of bestowing a power buff, but lacks the lasting equipment nature found in Swiftfoot Boots.
Siding with another comparison, we encounter the likes of Rush of Adrenaline. It shares the trait of giving a short-term power and toughness increase with Hammerhand, albeit for a single turn. Despite this, Rush of Adrenaline does not carry the aura enchantment aspect that allows Hammerhand to permanently affect the battlefield until the creature or Hammerhand is removed.
In weighing the strengths, Hammerhand stands out within the suite of creature-enhancing spells in MTG, given its dual functionality that amplifies both speed and power in tandem, setting the stage for more impactful plays.
Cards similar to Hammerhand by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Hammerhand. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5c Auras | Pioneer | 5c Auras | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-02-24 |
 | 4c Auras | Pioneer | 4c Auras | Pioneer League 2023-11-20 |
| Bant Auras | Pioneer | 5c Auras | F2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship) |
| Selesnya Auras | Historic | Other | Weekday Night Magic |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While not directly drawing cards, Hammerhand grants an immediate creature buff and haste, ensuring your creature can have an impact on the board right away. This can be especially relevant when looking to maximize the utility of every card in hand, effectively giving a creature an extra ability it previously lacked.
Resource Acceleration: Hammerhand is cost-efficient, requiring only a single red mana. This low casting cost helps you keep up the pace in aggressive decks, making it possible to deploy more threats swiftly or leave resources available for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Although Hammerhand is an aura that must be cast at sorcery speed, bestowing haste on a creature allows it to act as an immediate pressure tool. This simulates the flexibility you might find in instant speed spells by allowing a newly played or existing creature to attack without giving your opponent a turn to prepare.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hammerhand’s enchantment requires sacrificing card advantage, which can be risky when cards in hand are at a premium.
Specific Mana Cost: Designed with a red mana cost, Hammerhand necessitates a dedicated slot in a red or red-inclusive deck, potentially restricting deck-building versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its singular effect of granting haste and buffing a creature, the mana investment can be deemed steep compared to other low-cost utilities or buffs available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hammerhand provides immediate impact by giving its enchanted creature haste, enabling aggressive strategies to catch opponents off-guard. It can be slotted into various Red deck archetypes that value quick, explosive plays.
Combo Potential: The aura not only buffs a creature but also can be used to synergize with prowess-like mechanics or enable combos with heroic triggers. It’s a low-cost investment that can pay off with high-powered synergistic plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors swift aggression, Hammerhand excels at increasing tempo. It’s an excellent choice to gain an edge against slower, setup-heavy decks by applying early pressure and disrupting their game plan.
How to Beat Hammerhand
Hammerhand is a versatile card favored by many aggressive deck builders in Magic the Gathering. It provides an instant boost to creatures, not only granting them haste but also adding to their strength and disrupting potential blockers with its temporary removal effect. To effectively counter this enchantment aura, timing and strategy are key.
Spot removal spells can be incredibly efficient against Hammerhand-empowered creatures. A well-placed Path to Exile or Doom Blade, when the creature is targeted by Hammerhand, can set your opponent back by removing their attacker and negating the aura’s effects. Additionally, consider cards like Naturalize or Disenchant to directly target and destroy Hammerhand itself or other enchantments, minimizing your opponent’s momentum.
In a larger sense, employ creatures with flash that you can play during your opponent’s turn. This allows you to block the hasty creature, maintaining board control. Finally, decks that favor a control strategy might employ counter magic to prevent Hammerhand from resolving in the first place. By keeping a versatile arsenal and maintaining card advantage, you can outpace your opponent and neutralize threats like Hammerhand with precision.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hammerhand MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Archenemy: Nicol Bolas, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Hammerhand and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Hammerhand Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 147 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 2 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 3 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 132 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 971 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | IMA-132 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | ||
| 6 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 129 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joshua Raphael |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hammerhand has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |